Patricia and family celebrate her retirement
ON Saturday night I headed for the Rum House where a rather special retirement party was taking place, Patricia Rogers from Kingswood was celebrating her retirement from Dundalk Sports Centre where she has been a sports operative for a staggering 36 years.
I met up with Patricia who told me that she is really looking forward to retiring tomorrow Wednesday and is already looking forward to going on a Mediterranean Cruise during the summer and some babysitting duties after this. She was joined by her son John and partner Emma McAtasney both from Laurelbrook Gardens on the night.
In her company when I met Patricia were Triona Faapito from Bay Estate, Sharon Dunne from Kilcurry and Aine McDonald from Killeavy who told me she’d definitely be missed and they had tricked her into thinking she was just going for a girls’ night out and was delighted to see all the men there too.
After this I met up with son John and partner Emma who told me she now had plenty of time to learn how to use a laptop and their good news certainly coincided with her getting plenty of time on her hands.
Seated beside them were Conor Gorham from Sliabh Foy Park and Paul Mackin from Cedarwood Park who told me she’d be definitely missed and they were on hand to make sure she had a fantastic night.
Beside them I then got talking to David Carragher from Drumcar who said she’d definitely be missed but now it is time for her to put her feet up and take thigs easy for a while.
Next I headed over for a word with Richard English from Blackrock, David Hoey from Williamstown and Gerard McGaghey from Tullyallen who assured me they were on hand to give her the send off she truly deserves.
I then caught up with one of Dundalk’s true characters Thomas Casey from Glenmore Park who was having a laugh with Sean Watkins from Carrick Road who were sad to see her go and were going to make sure she had a real night to remember.
Finally, I got a word with Graham Russell from Mornington and Wayne Macken from Louth Village who wanted to wish her all the best, a very happy and long retirement.
After this I headed over for a chat with Annmarie Beggs from St. Marys Road who was out celebrating her 40th birthday with partner Mick McGrane also from St. Marys Road.
They were joined by her sister Helen and parents Anne and Eric Beggs all from Lisdoo who were in great form and ready to make the best of the evening.
Also up for making a right old night of it were Eden Rivero from Philippians and Colm Martin from Lis Na Dara who were having a laugh with Chris Langfield from London and Brendan Caldeira from Essex (who told me he was trying to get on the ground breaking tv show The Only Way Is Essex) but they all wanted to wish Annmarie a very happy birthday.
Beside them I then got talking to Joanne Irvine and Lynn Andrews both from London who wanted to wish Annmarie all the best and couldn’t wait to hear her singing later on.
Finally I met up with Gavin and Sylvie McCullough from Gormanston who were with Seamus Meegan from Seatown who told me it was too early to start dancing, that would come later on.
Making my way over to another table, I then met up with Trudy McArdle from Castleblaney who was celebrating her birthday with husband Michael and they were joined by a rowdy bunch who included Roisin Devlin from Moira Terrace, Nicola Ayers from Sligo who was with her sister Gillian Woodcock from Bay Estate and brother Simon Woodcock from Suil Na Mara who was helping his delightful wife Emma celebrate her birthday too. They also wanted to thank Simon’s son Adam for babysitting their daughter Emily, but when I thought about it, I wondered, who would be babysitting who?